Friday survey team

Team 1 had a great day in Palermo. The surveys went well and were much easier to do the second time. Most of the people we spoke to were willing to give their phone numbers or email addresses. It was a great experience!
In the evening we attended a party at Club Rincon with the community. The people overwhelmed us with their love, generosity and service. They honored u with gifts, including a plaque for Saddleback Church. The purpose of the Cafe de la Amistad (Friendship Coffee) at Club Rincon is to reach the people who don't go to church and for a place for children during the day. It was another amazing day in Buenos Aires with beautiful weather, too!

Thursday with Tigre

God is performining some amazing miracles in the hearts of the people here in Argentina! Today two of our teams and the Burdick family again visited the church in Tigre where American and Argentinian friends were blessed with sharing, love, testimonies, and healing. We spent quite a bit of time sorting through and repacking donated clothers that our team brought over in order to get them ready for the big children's party the church in putting on this Saturday. Then, after a wonderful meal perpared by our dear church friends, we took to the streets near the train station and local community park to meet the Argentinian people. We passed out information about the church and the special fiesta para los ninos en Sabado. We spoke to men, women, and children about the difference God can make in their lives. Some already knew the Lord, others gave their lives over for the first time! We even found a couple who knew of, and had connections with, some of the church members from outside of the church setting; they couldn't wait to get reconnected. God was certainly involved in the afternoon's events.

The train station is an unfortunate "home" to homeless children in Tigre. Little ones so lost, hungry, and dirty spend their days hanging out begging for food and money. It is quite heart breaking. Tigre has a good shelter for these children, however the little ones don't like to stay their because they must follow the rules of the leadership and go to school. We did what we could while there, but then had to move on. Please pray for these lost children!

We ended this amazing day with a special church service by Pastor Jorge. The Worship team lead us all in a musical praise and worship that surpased all language barriers and spoke directly to our hearts. Two of our team members and one church member gave their moving testimonies, expressing the love and transformation of our Lord Jesus in their lives. When the speaking was finished, chairs were pushed aside and church members and visitors alike joined together arm-in-arm singing praises to the Lord. Pastor Jorge walked up to each one of we Saddleback team members and, in the midst of a giant bear hug, prayed loud and boldly for special thanks and blessings on each one of us. What an amazing and memorable moment!

The Prosposito de Tigre is an wonderful place to find examples of the love of Jesus being acted in very real ways. We are being blessed and ministered to as much as we are giving to the people of Argentina. We are so thankful to be here!

Children's bracelets

We had brought kits to make bead bracelets for kids. The Tigre Church has planned a children's party for us to support. They have a story using colors to teach children about Jesus. We found out that our bracelet bead colors will match their Jesus story. We made the bracelets on Friday, putting the bead colors in the order that tells the Jesus story. Gabriella said it was another "small miracle." Next we stuffed bags with candy to give to the children at the party. We pray that welcoming new children at the church will bring new families to the church and motivate them to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Pastor Sebastian's devotional

Friday, July 13, began with a devotional by Pastor Sebastian -- we hope he will be the pastor of the new Saddleback Church in Buenos Aires. He talked about how the great men of the Bible (Moses, David, Abraham, Isaiah, etc) initially responded when God spoke of His plans for them. The answered, "who me?" Pastor Sebastian said to put ourselves in the spot to say YES to serve God and be used. Read Isaiah 6:1-9. Isaiah 6:8-9 states: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said "Here I am. Send me!" He said, "Go and tell the people."

Wednesday with Tigre

While we sent our second team to Palermo to do surveys, the other two teams went to Tigre to spend the day and evening with the amazing church leaders and members. We walked a few blocks to the train station. We set up tables with information about the church, Celebrate Recovery, and the children's party that will be on Saturday. We each took a stack of papers and walked around the shops, McDonald's, and the playground. We enjoyed speaking to the people and handing out candy for the children's. Through the interpreters, we were able to get prayer requests and 2 or 3 people accepted Christ as we spoke to them. One family shared that they had just lost their home to a fire and needed much prayer. It was a rewarding day! After another delicious meal (we've eaten so well here - the people of this church are spoiling us!), we went to Celebrate Recovery service. It was amazing and emotional as a couple of our members shared their testimonies. When we broke into groups, we heard the testimonies of church members and felt their love and trust. It was one of the best days so far!

Pastor Guillermo and Surveys

On Wednesday, July 11, our 2nd team took the subway to the Palermo barrio to conduct surveys with the International Missions Board (IMB). We split up into teams of 3 (1 was a translator). Some of us were nervous about approaching strangers, especially since we did not speak the local language. Others took the task as a challenge. A few others LOVE talking to people and are very charming and approachable. Several of the pedestrians were hesitant but answered because we asked in our broken Spanish. Many said they were too busy or working. A few answered very willingly. After 2 hours, we felt good about our accomplishment. We have all grown from the experience. Back at the hotel, we met up with Pastor Guillermo and took his family with us for a pizza dinner. Howard Compton had worked with Pastor Guillermo for 4 years in improving water quality in a very remote area in the north where Pastor Guillermo has had his church for 11 years. We listened to how the clean water greatly improved the health and lives of the native people in his church and nearby area. We learned that due to bacteria in the water, 98% of the people had diareha; then after the clean water filters and tanks were installed only 2% of the people had diareha. Before, they had no clean water, no hygene, no concept of germs. He spearheaded the effor to get water filtration, education, and outhouse with the leadership and support of the Saddleback Church Clean Water Ministry. His work at that church is a calling from God. Pastor Guillermo´s passion and persistance has saved lives and souls. Now he has people trained for maintenance and education He feels his work there is done. Pastor Guillermo and his family are looking at other opportunities to work for God in Argentina. We felt blessed to meet Pastor Guillermo and to hear about the results of a real implementation of the Clean Water project.

First Day of Surveys

On Tuesday, our first team went out to Palermo, along with the IMB, to do surveys.
We boarded the Subte (subway) for Palermo to survey the people on the streets about their needs and beliefs. We were anxious and scared to put ourselves out there without speaking the language.
As we practiced our introductions and prayed, God certainly eased our fears and did the work on our behalf when we couldn't do it.
We were able to get information from many people about the area of Palermo, where we hope to plant a Saddleback Church. We also learned about some of their concerns and needs. What an amazing experience!

Argentinian Independence Day

Today was Independence Day here in Argentina! So, we were able to celebrate it with a church in the nearby city of Tigre. After our morning devotional at the hotel, we loaded up in a bus and headed to Tigre. It was a wonderful day of food, fun, and fellowship. The people of Tigre con Proposito, the church there, were wonderful and treated us all great! We all basically went through a line of hugs once we had gotten there, and we're able to spend time with people from all ages there, from small children to grandparents. They all were very glad to spend the day with us. In. After a delicious lunch of hamburgers, chorizo sausage, empanadas, and more we were able to take a tour of Tigre, visiting a market and walking along the river before returning to the church. We continued to spend time together over sweets for "El medio de tarde" - basically an afternoon snack, before checking out their recording studio, from which they hope to soon broadcast a Christian radio station! Finally, we finished it off with a delicious dinner and dessert. It was a great day, and we are all looking forward to working with the people of Tigre con Proposito over the rest of this week! Be praying for us as we start our work tomorrow!
God bless!

We have arrived!

The team has finally made it to our hotel in Buenos Aires. After 13+ hours in the air, we are glad to have landed safely. After processing through customs and getting or luggage, we boarded a bus and drove to our hotel in the city. We have a team orientation with Howard Hicks and Javier, who are helping us with everything in country. And then, off to an early, 9/10pm dinner! Thanks for your prayers for safety in travel! We are all glad to be here and are looking forward to all that God has in store!

Getting ready to go

And so our journey begins! Our team of 30 met up at the church this afternoon, excited and nervous about what God has in store for our trip! After the guys loaded all the luggage onto the two shuttles, we gathered for a few last details and reminders. We then had the Parkers pray over the whole team, that we'd be filled with the Holy Spirit, with wisdom, as we go out.
We've successfully made it to LAX, and navigated customs in record time. We are now just relaxing in the terminal, ready to begin our voyage. Be praying for safe travels as we go, and that God would continue to prepare us and the people of Argentina for the work he has planned.
God Bless!

Thank you all so much for your prayers as we can not possibly due this without all of you surrounding us in your prayers. We will try and update our blog daily, however, please be patient as often the internet connection is not available. Here are some Bible verses to pray for our team: 

Father, we ask that the Buenos Aires team will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will daily walk in His power (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16).

We pray that they will speak the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31; Ephesians 6:19).

We pray that You will make their ministry exceedingly fruitful and that You will glorify Yourself through this ministry (2Thessalonians 3:1).

We pray for their labors each day to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

We ask that they will be vessels through which the love of God can flow to others (Romans 5:5; John 13;34-35).

We ask that You would grant them peace and assurance about the care of their families that are left at home (1Peter 5:7).

Fill them with Your joy in all situations and let this joy sustain them in all situations (Nehemiah 8:10).

We ask that all of their needs - physical, spiritual, emotional, and spiritual - will be met by You through Your grace and power (Philippians 4:19).

May they be salt and light to the people to whom they have been sent (Matthew 5:13-14).

Father, You have saved us.  You have made us ambassadors for Your Son, Jesus Christ, in this world  We pray specifically now that the Argentina 'ambassadors' would recognize like never before that they represent the Lord Jesus Christ in this world (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Please grant them Your specific direction for this mission (Psalm 37:5).

We plead that You will continually protect them from all harm and ask that You would strengthen them physically (Genesis 2:7).

Thank you so much from the Buenos Aires July Team!